The Globe Theater

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the Globe Theater, where most of William Shakespeare's major works, ,including his famous four tragedies, were first staged. It shows how, although the original building was destroyed in the mid-17th century, a new "Globe Theater" has been built near the site of the old theater in London and replicates many of the original features of the original theater and still stages some of the bard's plays. It traces the history of the Globe Theater, describes the original building's main features, and covers the recent rebuilding of the new Globe.

Outline
Origins
Main Features
A "Microcosm" of the Times
Destruction
The "New" Globe
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The stage of the Globe was a five feet high level platform of about 43 X 28 feet size. The stage was fitted with mechanisms such as trap doors in its floor that were creatively utilized by Shakespeare in his plays. It was surrounded on three sides by the "pit" in which the general audience (known as "groundlings" or the "one penny" audience) stood to watch the performances. The fourth side of the stage had a room for the actors where costumes changes were made. Around the pit were three galleries (balconies) one above the other that had seating for "two-penny" theatergoers. The topmost gallery was roofed with thatch and had a small turret structure, from which a trumpeter announced the day's performances. Since no artificial lighting was available, plays were usually scheduled for the afternoons."

More papers on The Globe Theater:

• Descriptive Essay # 112294 : "The Development of the Globe Theater"
• Essay # 67886 : "The Globe Theatre"
• Descriptive Essay # 111379 : "Shakespeare's Globe Theater"

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